Issue - meetings

The report recommends the freehold transfer of the public conveniences at South Street Bourne to Bourne Town Council following the installation of the Changing Places equipment.

Purpose of report

The recommendation of the freehold transfer of the public conveniences at South Street, Bourne, to Bourne Town Council following the installation of the Changing Places equipment.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the freehold transfer of the public conveniences at South Street, Bourne, to Bourne Town Council for a nominal consideration of £1.

2.    Delegates authority to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council to agree Heads of Terms for the disposal.

Alternative options considered and rejected

South Street Bourne was the preferred location for the changing places equipment as the original site at the Bourne Community Access Point was deemed unsuitable following a structural survey.

Reason for decisions

The Deputy Leader had responsbility for the report as the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property was involved in discussions as a Bourne Town Councillor and would have taken no part in Cabinet’s decision if he had been present.

Preliminary survey work had determined that extensive structural changes would have been required at the Bourne Community Access Point to locate a Changing Places Facility; this had been the location originally earmarked for the work. An alternative site at South Street Public Toilets had been offered by Bourne Town Council. The Public Toilets had remained closed since the investment into the design stage of the works.

The building was in the ownership of South Kesteven District Council but was deemed surplus to requirements and Bourne Town Council had expressed an interest in taking the asset on, once the works on the Changing Places equipment had been completed.

Bourne Town Council had been awarded £40,000 of funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Heads of Terms had been negotiated and agreed as part of discussions with Bourne Town Council.

Members noted that it was important to transfer assets down to Town and Parish Councils, where appropriate. It was also important across the District to install Changing Places equipment, where investment allowed.